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SFU Student

Yoga Pose
It helps keep me in shape and saves me time.

It can be hard to find time to exercise, especially when you have three back-to-back lectures, homework assignments, and exams to worry about. Here are some tips on how to get some physical activity in while at the Burnaby, Vancouver, or Surrey campus.

Take the Stairs if You Can (I Like the Ones at Blusson Hall, Going to the Upper Bus Loop at Burnaby Campus).

I consider myself to be a fairly lazy person, but I will still take these stairs instead of the elevator, mostly because I am too lazy to wait for the elevator. So if stairs are an option for you, take them.

The way I see it, there are two types of laziness. The first type is when you park further away from your destination and travel a longer distance because you can’t be bothered to look for a closer parking spot. The second is the opposite: where you circle the parking lot for half an hour just so you could save a few minutes.

I’m the first type, which is why I’ll usually take stairs when I can. It helps keep me in shape and saves me time.

Go to a free beginner-friendly fitness class at SFU. Taking the first step to join something can be daunting. You don’t have to do it alone.

Welcome to Fitmix, a weekly drop-in class run by the SFU Health Peers. Get moving in a way that works for you, meet new people, and chat about your health-related questions.

Start Your Mornings With Free Drop-In Yoga Classes.

Fitness classes aren’t your thing? No problem. Check out Yoga for the Mind, another drop-in group offered by SFU Health & Counselling. All fitness, mobility, and flexibility levels are welcome at this free gentle yoga class.

Use Your Recreation Pass (Included in Tuition).

The Burnaby fitness centre is located on the bottom floor of the Lorne Davies Complex (Room 088). There are treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, weights, and various other machines. They also have mats for yoga, for days when you just want a chill workout - and they have personal trainers at a great rate if you’re interested in a tailored experience.

Pro tip: when you enter the fitness centre, go to the very end (past the treadmills, bikes, and rowing machines). That’s where the wifi is strongest (in case you need wifi for Youtube fitness videos).

The Vancouver and Surrey campuses also have fitness centre options included in your tuition. Learn more about them here.

Explore the Area!

The Burnaby campus is located near many beautiful trails. Why not explore some of them after lecture or during a study break? Or take a walk downtown - the Vancouver campuses are in perfect city spots - catch an ocean view and get some fresh air!

Find Movement Where You Can.

Get off at an earlier bus stop, make your way up the stairs at Surrey Central Skytrain Station, or take the long way around the AQ - little physical challenges in your day can go a long way, so get creative.

Beyond the Blog

SFU Student
Jennifer is a second-year psychology student (and IAT wannabe) currently working as a Communications and Marketing Assistant with Health & Counselling. When she's not busy watching Netflix or eating at her favourite vegan restaurant, you can find her at all three campuses scoping out the most picturesque study spot.

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